Don't know where I read it but someone seem to really like this fragrance....your thoughts? http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/393/
Solomon's seal - frangrance opinions
C, I have the var. solomon's seal and it struggles. mine is planted inground, bright shade. I think it may need more water. Mine is not fragrant unless it is the kinda plant that you have to stick your nose into in order to enjoy fragrance.
So far everyone that's responded (posted on Mid Atlantic as well) has said no fragrance...hmmmm???
I also noticed that the Plant Files entry doesn't list it as being fragrant and nobody mentions it in the comments there either--I wonder if the person who told you about it had it mixed up with some other plant? Maybe their plant was mislabeled.
I've seen various catalogs that list it as fragrant, and mine certainly isn't---I thought maybe I had a non-fragrant plant or that I just couldn't smell it, like with all my freesias.
Mine is in a container in a spot that gets early morning sun and bright shade the rest of the day. It's been VERY happy for the past 3 years. I usuallly water it a couple of times a week---more when it's over 100 here. I have to transplant it to a new pot (the one it's in is falling apart) and I've read they don't take well to transplanting. I'm a little nervous about it, but it's got to be done!
I have been growing Eurasian Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) for years. It is a very attractive, architectural, plant. Though it is said to have fragrant flowers, I seldom notice any smell. We have a line of it, against a wall, in a semi-enclosed space. That's the location where I noticed its smell, after its slight fragrance was pointed out to me by my wife.
Not all Solomon's seal species are fragrant.
I bought 'fragrant Solomon's seal' (Polygonatum odoratum) last year. I could smell the flowers of that plant. One should hope so, in the light of its name!
On occasions, claiming a plant is fragrant, may help to sell it!
Ahh there you are Sunny....welcome!!! Would you say the odoratum had a strong scent or one that carries well?
Hi Chantell and All
I've only seen Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' (actually bought this form - name the variegate form is sold under) for one season. So far, I would not say it has a strong scent nor one that carries well.
Spoke to friend of mine who's been in horticulture all his working life. He was saying he does not have a very good sense of smell. Still, he has a fragrant garden within his own garden in Aurora (zone 5A). Everybody who goes there smell all sorts of wonderful scents. I particularly note the thyme lawn, when walked over, and the great big tobacco plants ( Nicotenia sylvestris), in the evening.
One of his themes is that, in reality, so little is known about plants; hence,
why gardeners reporting on what plants worked for them, in what circumstances, is so important.
Personally, wonder whether sensing odors is an even more individual thing than sensing colors. Easy to forget that the wonderful scent or beautiful color of a plant, may be intended to attract pollinating insect, rather than we ardent gardeners!
interesting point and you're probably right.
Yes, Sunny very good points...so excited to have you here with us...you're a welcomed addition for sure!!